September 21, 2012

Ubuntu is one of the many distributions of the GNU+Linux system. I
launched the development of the GNU system in 1984 for the sake of
freedom: so users could have control of their own computing.
That is what “free software” refers to.

To some extent, you now have such control. But not entirely. Ubuntu
is one of the GNU/Linux distros that install and/or offer nonfree
software. You also have Windows and other nonfree programs installed.
These programs are controlled by a company, not by their users. Alas,
the use of the term “open source” as a substitute for “free software”
leads attention away from these ethical issues, which is a major
disadvantage.

If you someday transfer your implementation into a computer, I
recommend you avoid allowing any nonfree (user-subjugating) software
into your digitized brain.

See http://www.gnu.org/gnu/the-gnu-project.html and
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html.

I have to one, thank you for commenting on my article, as short as it is, and two, I agree with your Free Software thesis above all other software “licenses”. I have listened to your lectures and have read your online works. You have more respect from me then you know!

I understand your disappointment in me using Ubuntu with VirtualBox and Wine to run a little bit of Windowz software.(Which I only do for netflix, helping people troubleshoot windows, and once in a while photoshop, but I use Gimp most of the time)

It is a shame that Ubuntu began the use of non-free software, kind of like that of the Apple based “buy an “app” if you want to do such and such” mentality. However I never spent a penny on Ubuntu or on the software that it supports in the Linux environment. Ubuntu also promised to keep their operating system up to date and free (even though Precise Desktop is just ridiculousness, hence Gnome Fallback)

I currently use many different forms of Debian Linux for troubleshooting computers. I have used Debian Linux as my main OS for a period of time and enjoyed it very much. So thank you and the programmers very much for all the hard work you put into this amazing OS.

Mind uploading and digitizing brains seems far away in the future, and before we do it we will need a comprehensive science of consciousness and a clear understanding of the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) etc. With all my hope I want this science and philosophy to be done without the use of animal testing and to be geared towards the use of simulations on computers, with ALL its data released to the public.

If we do succeed in “mind uploading” or digitizing brains I totally agree with you that it should be based on free software that is accountable to a community like that of Chomskyan libertarian socialism, anarcho-syndicalism, cross-border solidarity and the IEET’s technoprogressivism. An open direct-democracy type of accountability would be ideal. I would not trust a modern capitalist corporation which is designed to make profits with my own personal consciousness, identity, and self.

Correction: “Precise Desktop is just ridiculousness” = Unity Desktop is just ridiculous - no offense to the Ubuntu Unity Desktop developers, but I personally find that Ubuntu+Gnome+Compiz = unbelievable productivity.